xXBChaceXx
|-Game
News, Reviews, and Rants-|
Microsoft’s
Xbox One (My preferred console of choice), otherwise known as “XBONE” has been
officially available on the market for about 3 weeks now, and had sold over 1
million units within its first 24 hours in 13 markets world-wide. Impressive
launch sales, is it not? I received my Day One edition at midnight, and I have
been spending ample time with it every day (more like every chance I get) since
I first hooked it up to my TV (after 7 hours of broken sleep).
Right
out of the box, the Day One Edition included the Microsoft Kinect, HDMI cable,
Day One controller, a headset, Microsoft Xbox One (500 GB), 14 day free trial of Xbox Live Gold, and the
exclusive Day One achievement.
Here
are my thoughts, and I hope this helps you make the right purchase this
Holiday.
My
Impressions
Initial Start-up: The initial
setup requires an internet connection in order for the console to function,
therefore, for those who do not have a reliable connection, this could be
potentially problematic. Microsoft did have an alternative option; however,
they pulled it, and are now handling customers via the phone. The boot-up time
is rather lengthy, and can take from 2-5 minutes to even prompt the user to
begin the updating process, which involves the download of the online update,
syncing the Kinect 2.0, and other various settings. Once all that is finished,
you’re taken to the new and improved Xbox Dashboard, which is of a similar
style to Windows 8.
Xbox One: Microsoft’s design of the Xbox One is
fitting due to the internal specs (More info at www.xbox.com). It is a weighty
system, and much larger than its predecessor. The RROD (Red Ring of Death)
plagued the Xbox 360 era, however, with vents on the side, and top, keeping the
unit from overheating should hardly be an issue. Xbox One supports Blu Ray, and
has an Optimal Media Drive installed, as discs are fed into the machine,
similarly to that of the PS3. There have been reported problems of the disc
drive malfunctioning, causing a loud “click” and damaging the disc inserted (I,
myself, have not experienced this issue). However, if you happen to receive one
of the .01%, don’t fret, as Microsoft will send you a replacement console
within 3-5 days, and will compensate you with your choice of Dead Rising 3,
Forza 5, Ryse, or Zoo Tycoon for digital download free of charge. The console
itself runs quietly, and starts up within 10-13 seconds, signing you in, and
bringing to the main UI.
Controller: The Xbox One has a controller that is
almost similar to the 360 controller; however, it has made several improvements
and adjustments to improvement handling, and precision. The D-pad has been entirely
redesigned, and clicks with every press, giving fighting-game fans (D-pad
warriors) what they’ve been looking for. The battery pack has been integrated
into the back of the controller (Yes, it still uses batteries. Play and Charge
Kit is an additional $25) to remove the excess weight of the bulky 360 battery
pack, however, this also comes with several issues. I found that, at times, my
controller would disconnect without warning, as there is no indicator (As I’m
aware) that displays battery life on either the UI or the controller itself.
There were also instances where my batteries would be displaced from their
positions within the pack, and cause the controller to lose power, and during
live gameplay, can be a real issue. The four button face (A,B,X,Y) is still the
same, with only slight visual changes. The triggers and bumpers (RT, LT, RB,
LB) have been redesigned. I found myself with preference to the 360 triggers
and bumpers, as I found that, in rare situations, my presses weren’t registering,
more specifically during my online versus matches of KI.
Dashboard: I found the new dashboard easy to
navigate, and the various options, like pins, which allow the user quick access
to their games, movies, and apps, function without fault. The main UI is
organized under 3 tabs, considerably less cluttered than the Xbox 360’s, and
can be easily navigated with a controller, or with the Kinect 2.0 Voice
commands, which (almost) always work. Software issues can damper the overall
experience, as closing out programs completely, and bringing users to the home
screen can be aggravating and inconvenient, especially while gaming. These
issues can easily be resolved with a patch.
Kinect 2.0: The Kinect 2.0 is a significant
improvement from its predecessor, as a wider lens, and improved visual and
audio tracking, help to redefine the overall experience with the device. The HD
quality video feed is great with apps such as Skype, although the
face-recognition for signing in is a hit or miss. The Kinect still has issues
deciphering indistinct tones of voice, certain accents, and wrong voice
commands will result in no response from the device. During gameplay, in games
such as Dead Rising, the Kinect is hardly responsive. When the Kinect functions
properly, however, it is an amazing, hands-free device that makes even
selecting a movie or TV show on Netflix fun and interesting.
Online Play: Consistent connections, and the Cloud,
help power the Xbox One. Games are updated as you play. Connection stability
varies from game to game. Battlefield 4 had frequent disconnects and server
issues until a patch on 12/3/2013. In Killer Instinct, I experienced minimal
lag, due to the GGPO (Roll-back) net code that has been improved for the
fast-paced combos. Dead Rising 3 I had experienced several disconnects from my
co-op buddy, but, I could just as easily re-join his game without a problem. I
have not yet to test Ryse’s multiplayer connection, so, I have nothing further
to comment. Overall, the online connection is solid, and will not hinder your
gaming experience (as long as you have a decent internet provider). Xbox
parties aren’t user friendly, and have changed drastically from the 360, 8
person party. Parties are comprised of players all playing the same game and
they are matched together within the same lobby. This premise sounds amazing;
however, it does not always fall through.
Exclusives: Currently, only on Xbox One, you can
play Killer Instinct [Double Helix], Forza Motorsport 5 [Turn 10 Studios],
Ryse: Son of Rome [Crytek], Dead Rising 3 [Capcom Vancouver], Crimson Dragon
[Grounding Inc.], Powerstar Golf [Zoe Mode], Fighter Within [AMA, Ltd.],
LocoCycle [Twisted Pixel], Xbox Fitness, Zoo Tycoon [Frontier Developments],
and an array of Kinect games to help introduce the 2.0. My individual opinions
on these games will be released at a later date. Future exclusives include
Titanfall, Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, Project Spark, and Minecraft: Xbox
One edition.
VERDICT!
I have
thoroughly enjoyed my Xbox One over the past 3 weeks. Granted, every launch
window of a newly developed console has issues, so, I’m willing to overlook
them, and continue to be hopeful that Microsoft will fix the minor issues to
enhance and improve the experience. Currently, I feel that it is the better of
the two systems, but that is because it is geared more towards my individual
needs. Xbox One is the all-in-one entertainment system. Keep in mind, this is
all my opinion, and I just want you to enjoy gaming this holiday, whether that
would be on your PS4, your Xbox One, your 3DS, your Wii U, or even your PC
(Please, no PC Master Race comments! Please…)
Once a gamer, always a gamer,
-Brian
Chace
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